Panhandle Pathway

Description of the Panhandle Pathway.  1/1/2012

 NOTE: (4/5/2012).  An extension to the Pathway is under construction in stages toward completion on the North end.  From the North Trail Head at CR150s connecting to Burson/Superior Street in Winamac.  This section is not yet complete, but access is possible into Winamac by walking and with bikes with some off road capability, using the old Railbed which is grassy.  Use at your own risk.

• Trail is completed as presently envisioned and undertaken

• 21 miles long, 10 feet wide surface

• Asphalt the entire length, with 2 feet shoulders of crushed limestone and rock

• Safety signage and warning barricades and location signs at all cross roads

• Runs between Winamac (CR 150S) and Kenneth (just south of US24, about 6 miles west of Logansport, about 1 mile west of France Park)

• Follows west of US35 to Royal Center then straight South to the end

• There are trail heads at; Winamac CR 250S; Star City Key Street; Royal Center Kramer street; about 1/2 mile north of the end at CR 50N.

• Passes through the counties of Pulaski and Cass

• 1/2 mile markers painted on the asphalt

• There is an access lane to the Tippecanoe River at the DNR access point northwest corner of the Tippecanoe River and the bridge

• Crosses several water ways... Tippecanoe River, Mill Creek, Indian Creek, Crooked Creek... and a few smaller ones

• The North portions goes through agriculture areas.  The Southern portions go through the  Wabash valley area

• Follows the old Pennsylvania 'Panhandle' Railroad.   (the Panhandle name comes from the old RR where it ran across the narrow northerly 'Panhandle' section of West Virginia to get to Pittsburg PA)

• It is a Rails to Trails Railbanked recreational trail

• Passes through the towns/communities of Winamac, Star City, Thornhope, Royal Center

• Amenities (food etc.) in Winamac, Star City (no gasoline), Royal Center

• Picnic table(s) at Royal center trail head and the end south of US24

• Rest bench's are distributed along the trail

• Trail passes under US24

• The trail dead ends at the southern end, with rest bench, table, and bike rack. A picturesque area near a small lake.

• There are no restroom facilities nor drinking water sources ON the trail.

• There are guidance, rules and overall map at the trail heads

• Information is available on our website http://panhandlepathway.org/

• Trail Head location document is accessed from a 'hot link' on the http://panhandlepathway.org/ Map

• The Friends of the Panhandle Pathway welcome you to come and visit and enjoy our trail.

• We appreciate receiving your comments/suggestions about the Panhandle Pathway.  They are easily sent  via the contact link on http://panhandlepathway.org/

-----   Future plans 

• Since we have completed the 1st major construction we are shifting our focus from construction to Operations and Maintenance.

• We plan on adding more information signs identifying the nature (e.g. the rare Indiana Prariry grass) and historical aspects of the trail.

 • We envision connecting to France Park to the East of the southern end and are working with the railroad for a ‘Rails with Trails' to obtain an easement .

• We are now in construction to connecting the north end of the trail to the streets of Winamac.

• We plan on submitting an RTP grant in 2012 to take the trail through Winamac.

• We plan to extend from Winamac to the Tippecanoe River State Park in the future.     

 Need more information?

• If you would like to contact us, help us, volunteer, contributions, or other support, or have a question please contact us via our web site http://panhandlepathway.org/  or by phone..